Bert Dirschell
Centertown
Dear Editor:
I am tired of hearing about so many people living paycheck to paycheck. When did that phrase become so common? It was certainly not common two, or more, generations ago.
From February 2019 to February 2020, the unemployment rate was below 4 percent. From December 2015 to February 2019 it was 5 percent or below. Every reasonably able-bodied person who wants a job and who is willing to work, or be trained, has had a job.
Inflation adjusted median household income was at a record level in 2018, 18 percent higher than it was in 1993, a generation ago. Inflation adjusted median family income was also at a record high in 2018. It was 24 percent higher than in 1993 and 44 percent higher than it was in 1968, two generation ago. These are inflation-adjusted numbers; If people are living "paycheck to paycheck," in most cases it isn't because they have an income problem.
Is it possible that too many have learned that nanny state government is always ready to reward negative behavior. There is no longer a need for responsible spending habits. If you have other thoughts on why a two generation, 44 percent increase in real family income has led to people now living paycheck to paycheck, I would sure like to hear them.
COVID-19 Crisis? - Ms. Pelosi, what do the following have to do with the COVID-19 crisis? Forgiving $10,000 of student debt for every borrower, "forgiving" $11 billion of U.S. Postal Service debt, mandating that the head of every federal department "submit to Congress a report on the actions taken to increase the use of minority banks," and mandating early voting in all states and same day voter registration. Why do we need a "COVID-19 Aid Oversight Panel" charged with collecting data on "employee demographics" and "supplier diversity," "pay equity" and "corporate board diversity." The answer is obvious, Ms. Pelosi's plan is nothing more than a grandstanding attempt to buy votes with free stuff and favors.